It’s been said before, and it will be repeated. Pieces of equipment that take up minimal space, don’t cost a fortune, and can change up your workouts just a bit to add variety greatly benefit those with home gyms. These 1/4 rings have a diameter of just 1.3,” cost $39.99 and change up a number of your workouts just enough to keep things fresh. Plus, they are more versatile in certain ways than your typical gymnastics rings.
To use, you need to wrap these “Made in the USA” straps over a certain piece of equipment and get to work. It takes just a few seconds to attach and remove.
Gymnastics rings are a staple in many home gyms, but AbMat recently released this option with a twist. These 1/4 rings were primarily created to replicate the feel of rings during pull-ups without having to deal with a complete ring setup, which can be a nuisance to continue taking on and off. However, they have the ability to do much more, which will be explained below.
Not only does this give you a few more “pull-up” options, but it’s also important to note that this may help those with limited shoulder mobility to do pulls because you’re able to rotate your hands from an external position to a neutral one as you go up.
While the primary intent may be to add to a pull-up bar, they also double as a nice cable attachment. Both used simultaneously doubles as a triangle row attachment that can be utilized on high and low pulleys.
In addition, by using just one, it replicates a single handle cable attachment, which is typically used for cable crossover machines or single arm work.
In general, when used as a cable attachment, the 1/4 rings are easy to set up, comfortable, and get the job done. Plus, since they are not “fixed” like most attachments, it adds another dynamic to these movements.
If you get really creative, you can easily attach them to a barbell to perform movements like rows and shoulder shrugs. This can be a nice change of pace from normal barbell work.
😱 Oh wait, almost forgot!! They also make for a convenient way to do farmers’ carries. Strap them up to your heavy kettlebells or dumbbells and go for a walk. It’s much more comfortable to hold onto and should allow for a longer carry than carrying them.
*The heaviest weight used was 90 pounds for a single strap. The ability to be used as a “deadlift strap” is not mentioned on the product info page, so keep in mind that there may be a weight limit. This weight felt completely fine, though, as you might expect.
Finally, some specs on these include:
- A ring diameter of 1.3,” which is just a tad thicker than your traditional ring.
- Polypropylene plastic is easy to grip and will hold up well over time. They feel extremely similar to the Rogue Echo Rings (pictured below).
- The “high tenacity polyester black webbing” is designed to support any bodyweight.
- Black and tan options are included.
To conclude, this is definitely a worthwhile addition to many home gyms, especially those looking for some additional versatility without breaking the bank. They are much easier to use and convenient than traditional rings, and you also have the ability to get creative! This is another innovative solution from AbMat.
